Joel Asoro says he hopes to play regular first team football at Sunderland next season, as he targets a place in Sweden’s national side.

The 18-year-old was a star of Sunderland’s under-23 side last season, earning nominations for Europe’s prestigious Golden Boy award, as well as the Premier League 2 Player of the Year award.

He also made his first team debut for the Black Cats which led to a Sweden U21 call-up, as well as interest from a host of top clubs.

But now Asoro is hoping that good form and regular football for Sunderland in the Championship could make him a surprise inclusion in Sweden’s squad for next summer’s World Cup in Russia.

That said, he knows there’s years ahead for him, and admits that Nigeria - the birth place of his parents - have already contacted him about his international future, while England will become an option for him in two years time if he stays in the country too.

He told SVT: “They (Nigeria) have contacted me.

“We will see what happens if I do not get into the national team in Sweden. I’ll probably choose Nigeria.

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“England is also a possibility. If I live in England for two more years, I can play for their national team.

“But I can not think of it now. If you do not perform in the club team they will not take you out. I’ll think about it next season.”

Asoro is hoping to play more football next season.

With Sunderland’s squad short on numbers, new manager Simon Grayson has already said he will take a closer look at under-23 players in the next week during their trip to Austria for training. They jetted out on Saturday.